Bavarian-style Seafood Stew

Ingredients

In this Bavarian adaptation of the Italian brodetto, we incorporate Bavarian spices, such as caraway seeds, and traditional ingredients like smoked bacon and Bavarian beer. These additions give the stew a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from the original Italian version. We alse have the original recipe for Brodetto fanese, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) mixed fish fillets (such as cod, salmon, or trout), cut into chunks 500g (1.1 lb) mixed fish fillets (such as cod, salmon, or trout), cut into chunks
• 250g (8.8 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined 250g (8.8 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 500g (1.1 lb) mussels, cleaned and debearded 500g (1.1 lb) mussels, cleaned and debearded
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 150g (5.3 oz) smoked bacon, diced 150g (5.3 oz) smoked bacon, diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, diced 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 can (400g/14 oz) diced tomatoes 1 can (400g/14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 250ml (1 cup) Bavarian beer 250ml (1 cup) Bavarian beer
• 500ml (2 cups) fish or vegetable broth 500ml (2 cups) fish or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 7g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until crispy.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, celery, and red bell pepper to the pot. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
3. 3.
   Pour in the diced tomatoes, Bavarian beer, and fish or vegetable broth. Stir in the caraway seeds and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. 4.
   Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
5. 5.
   Add the fish chunks, shrimp, and mussels to the pot. Cover and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through and the mussels have opened.
6. 6.
   Remove the bay leaf and discard. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if needed.
7. 7.
   Serve the Bavarian-style seafood stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fish fillets — Choose firm fish fillets that hold their shape well during cooking, such as cod, salmon, or trout.
• Mussels — Make sure to clean and debeard the mussels before adding them to the stew to remove any sand or grit.
• Bavarian beer — Opt for a flavorful Bavarian beer, such as a Märzen or a Dunkel, to enhance the stew's taste.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a spicier stew, add a pinch of Bavarian mustard or a dash of hot sauce.
• Serve the stew with crusty Bavarian bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
• Feel free to customize the seafood selection based on your preferences and availability.
• For a richer flavor, you can substitute some of the vegetable oil with bacon fat.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors will continue to develop.

Serving advice

Serve the Bavarian-style seafood stew in deep bowls, accompanied by slices of crusty Bavarian bread. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and added freshness.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the seafood chunks on top of the stew, allowing their vibrant colors to shine through the rich broth. Serve the stew with a side of Bavarian bread and garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley.